When Was 3M Founded
3M was founded in 1902 in Two Harbors, Minnesota. The company began as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, created by five local investors. Its original goal was to mine corundum for grinding wheels, but the venture quickly shifted to manufacturing abrasives and adhesives.
Founders and Early History
The founding group included Henry S. Bryan, John Dwan, Hermon W. Cable, William A. McGonagle, and Lucius Ordway. Early years were difficult, but the company survived by focusing on sandpaper and other abrasive products. By the 1910s, 3M had moved its headquarters to St. Paul, Minnesota, and began expanding its product line.
How 3M Grew into a Global Company
Over the following decades, 3M developed new materials and technologies, including masking tape, adhesives, and later electronics and healthcare products. The company became known for innovation and research, eventually operating in more than 70 countries. Today, 3M is a multinational conglomerate with a broad portfolio of industrial, consumer, and safety products.
